Organ Donor, Organ Transplant, Organ Donor Services, | Matching Donors This Program for Donor/Recipient Pairs with Incompatible Blood Types MatchingDonors.com has the world’s largest database of available altruistic incompatible donors. People with kidney failure who have a willing donor (friend, family member etc…) whose blood type is not compatible may be able to take part in a Paired Kidney Exchange Program. How it works is, if a donor and patient can be found who have the opposite blood type incompatibility, kidneys can be exchanged between the two pairs and two compatible live donor transplants are possible. Using MatchingDonors.com to find a direct altruistic donor is usually the easiest way to find a donor, but we want you to have as many options as possible to find your match so we are now also offering, at no additional charge, our paired exchange program where you can also search for a suitable exchange pair. MatchingDonors.com now has the world’s largest database of available altruistic incompatible donors. The more donors and patients in the database the greater the chance of identifying an exchange pair. We have new donors signing up about just about everyday willing to be involved in an incompatible paired exchange.

Some of these donors have a patient already associated with them and some are willing to help ant patient in a paired exchange. We have had a number of patients that have found an incompatible donor who then became their donor for a kidney exchange program. So, with MatchingDonors.com you don’t even have to bring in your own incompatible donor (friend or family member) you can find an altruistic incompatible donor that would be willing to donate to some else to save your life. Cialis is a life-saving medicine to treat the erectile dysfunction. Buy Cialis online , the basic component of this medicine is Tadalafil that expands the blood vessels. It provides you with a healthy erection that can last up to 36 hours. Kidney Paired Donation is a program which assists donor/patient pairs who are incompatible or poorly matched with each other to find another donor/patient pair(s) with whom they can exchange kidneys to enable a more favorable compatibility and allow a transplant to take place. Every donor and patient who is interested in exchanging kidneys is entered into the MatchingDonors.com database with their blood type along with their HLA typing- if available. The matching search agent is run on a daily basis, and potential matches are identified along with your regular search agent results list.

When a potential incompatible pair is identified both the donor and patient will receive a tissue typing kit in the mail with blood tubes in it. You will then get a blood drawn at your doctor’s office and sent back to the transplant center. There will be instructions with the kit that will tell you that a potential exchange pair has been identified and that you should have your blood drawn on the date specified in the letter. This blood is used to crossmatch you with the exchange donor/ patient. Every donor is evaluated according to standard medical practice. Each donor must go through a battery of tests and consults prior to being accepted into the program. Consideration is given to a matched age (within 10 years) between donors. Patient/ donor pairs always have the option of declining offers. Blood types of the donor/patient pair. If the patient is of the ‘O’ blood type, they require an ‘O’ donor. ‘O’ donors are universal donors and can give to anyone. Therefore, the available ‘O’ donors in the KPD program are those that are unable to give to their patient because the patient is sensitized. Therefore, it will be more difficult to find a compatible donor for the sensitized patient and the blood-type incompatible ‘O’ patient.

Multiple donor/patient pairs in the database. The transplant center will try to optimize the number of transplants that can take place to help as many patients as possible. Therefore, there could be a little as 2 pairs involved to as many as 5 or more pairs involved. MatchingDonors has been involved in a number of these types of incompatible paired exchange kidney transplants. Blood Donation Types | Whole Blood, Plasma, Autologous | American Red Cross Plasma Apheresis Plasma is collected simultaneously with a platelet donation and is collected at select American Red Cross Donation Centers only. During a plasma apheresis donation, the blood is collected by a machine, which separates the plasma, red cells and platelets and returns the red cells and/or platelets back to the donor. While donors with Type AB blood can only give red cells to other Type AB recipients, they are the universal plasma donors. The ‘right type’ donation for AB donors may be an apheresis donation of plasma or plasma and platelets. The donation takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. Call 1-800-RED-CROSS to find plasma apheresis donation opportunities near you.

Power Red Power Red is done with the help of an apheresis machine which collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. Red cells are the most transfused blood component, and certain blood types are often in short supply. Power Red from Type O donors and donors with Rh-negative blood types play a very important role in maintaining blood supply levels. Donors need to meet slightly higher hemoglobin and body height/weight requirements in order to be able to give a Power Red. Power Red takes approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation and allow you to give two units of red cells. Available in most donation centers and some blood drives. Donors are eligible to give Power Red every 112 days. Autologous Donations These are donations that individuals give for their own use with a doctor's prescription - for example, before a surgery. Not subject to the same testing criteria as other donations, and therefore, if they are not used by the patient, they are discarded. Must be scheduled in advance by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Be sure to indicate that you are requesting an autologous appointment when scheduling.

Directed Donations Donations made for a specific patient by a friend or family member with a doctor's prescription. Subject to all testing requirements of other donations, and if for some reason they are not or cannot be utilized by the patient, they may be made available for other patients in need. Please call 1-800-RED-CROSS if you would like to schedule a directed donation. ABOUT BLOOD Did you know that blood can be separated into three main components – red blood cells (RBCs), platelets, and plasma? Read more to find out about blood and why regular blood donors are so important. What’s in a blood group and type? Blood Group Did you know that there are four different blood groups?: A, B, AB, and O. A person's blood group is distinguished by tiny markers known as antigens which cover the blood cell surface. Below is a simple breakdown of blood groups and antigens. Group A blood has A antigens Group B blood has B antigens Group AB blood has both A and B antigens Group O blood has neither A nor B antigens Blood Type In addition to A and B antigens, there is also an Rh antigen.

A person's blood type is determined by the presence or absence of the Rh antigen. Individuals who have the antigen are known as Rh positive and individuals without it are known as Rh negative. The combination of an individual's blood group (A, B, AB, O) and the presence or absence of the Rh antigen (+ or -) determine an individual's blood type. Compatibility Blood types must be matched between the donor and the recipient to ensure a safe transfusion. The chart below illustrates blood type frequency, red blood cell, and plasma compatibility. Your Blood Type AB+, AB-, A+, A-, B+, B-, O+, O- AB+, AB- Type O Negative Donors: Also known as "universal donors," Type O Negative RBCs can be given to anyone. For that reason, Type O Negative blood is often used in emergency situations before a person's exact blood type can be determined. Type O Positive Donors: Approximately 84% of the U.S. population has Rh positive blood. This means that your RBCs can be given to 84% of those in need if their exact blood type is unavailable. Type A Positive/Negative Donors: Your blood type is the second most common U.S. blood type.

This means there are many Type A patients out there who need your blood every day. Type A Negative donors can also provide RBCs for the more scarce Type AB patients if necessary. Type B Positive/Negative Donors: As the second rarest U.S. blood type, your blood is needed to keep your elite group of Type B patients safe and healthy. Type B Negative donors can also provide RBCs for the more scarce Type AB patients if necessary. Type AB Positive/Negative Donors: The rarest U.S. blood type at only 4%, Type AB donors are also known as "universal plasma donors", since their plasma can be given to anyone. For that reason, Type AB Positive/Negative plasma is often used in emergency situations before a person's exact blood type can be determined. The Need for Blood Since the first volunteer blood donor service opened in 1921, there has been a constant outreach for donors— and here is why: There is no substitute for human blood. Every day brings advances in life-saving techniques—many of which require blood or blood products. Blood products cannot be stored indefinitely. Red blood cells must be used within 35-42 days of collection for the safety of the recipient.

Platelets have an even shorter shelf life—they must be used within five days of collection. Because blood may be needed at any time, it must be collected regularly. No one expects to need blood, however, if it is not available when the need arises, the consequences can be fatal. Although those who donate can tell you there is no better feeling than saving a life, about only five percent of eligible donors actually donate. That is why regular donors—those who commit to giving blood once a season—are so important in ensuring blood is available year-round. Who needs blood? Blood and blood products are used for patients of all ages for many reasons—from cancer patients or surgical patients, to those with battlefield injuries, military members depend on blood donors every day. Each unit is critical when you consider: 40 or more units of blood may be needed for a single trauma victim. 8 units of platelets may be required daily by leukemia patients undergoing treatment. A single pint of blood can sustain a premature infant’s life for two weeks. How much blood is needed? The ASBP supplies blood and blood products for 1.3 million service members and their families across the nation and around the globe every year.

This means blood must be available for routine military medical treatment facility operations as well as contingency operations. Since the ASBP’s inception more than 60 years ago, more than 1.5 million units of blood have been provided to treat battlefield illnesses and injuries. In addition to providing blood in combat situations for those in critical need, the ASBP also supports the peacetime needs of military personnel and their families. Blood must be available to military hospitals for scheduled and emergency procedures. What can I do? Donate blood. This simple act means more than you will ever know to those who need it. The actual donation only takes about 10 minutes and the entire process takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Donors can: Save up to three lives with a single donation! Give blood every 8 weeks or give platelets up to 24 times per year. Help a fellow service member when they need it most. Deferred from donating? We still need you! There are many ways you can support the mission. Visit our How to Help section to find out how you can save lives by ensuring that blood is available whenever and wherever needed. Calculate Your Next What Is the Universal Recipient Blood Type? What Is the Universal Recipient Blood Type?

Search the site What Is the Universal Recipient Blood Type? Understanding Universal Donors and Recipients By Jennifer Whitlock, RN, MSN, FNP-C - Reviewed by a board-certified physician. Updated June 22, 2016 Question: What is a Universal Recipient? What is a universal recipient? I've heard of a universal donor , but I am not familiar with a universal recipient. Answer: A universal recipient is a medical term for a person with the AB blood type. They are called universal recipients because they can receive a blood transfusion from a person with any blood type , not just their own blood type. To put it another way, the immune system of a person with AB blood will accept blood from all possible donors, whether they have O, A, B or AB blood. So how is it that the rarest blood type is also the one that is a universal recipient? The answer lies in the antigens that are present in most blood types . O blood types are unique in that they have no antigens, A blood types have an antigen that is specific and unique to A blood, as do B blood types. The AB blood type means that the both of antigens for A and B blood are both present.

Since both A and B antigens are present in a person with AB blood, the recipient won't reject the blood. The body identifies that blood as "self" rather than "foreign". O blood has no antigens, and is referred to as universal donor blood, so that will not cause a reaction. So a person with AB blood has all of the antigens that are possible, and an O negative person has no antigens that would cause a reaction. Reaction to a Blood Transfusion Keep in mind that there is a difference between a reaction caused by transfusing the wrong type of blood, which can be and often is fatal, and an allergic reaction to the blood transfusion, which is possible regardless of blood type. An allergic reaction to a blood transfusion is not caused by a blood type mismatch, it is caused by the recipient's body identifying the blood as "foreign" and the immune system then attempts to destroy the foreign cells. Also known as an acute hemolytic transfusion reaction, this type of reaction typically results in itching, fever, chills, itching and a rash. It typically passes in 24-48 hours and is usually treated by stopping the transfusion and administering a dose of Benadryl to reduce the reaction.

Organ Donation and Universal Recipients Receiving a blood transfusion is not the only time this information matters. An individual who needs an organ transplant could also benefit from being a universal recipient. If a patient has the AB blood type and needs an organ, they could accept an organ from donors of all blood types. The process of matching a donor and recipient is more complicated than that, as there are other reasons a donor and recipient may not be compatible, but, generally speaking, a person with the AB blood type can receive an organ from a donor of any blood type. Sources: 50 Quick Facts. The American Red Cross. Accessed October, 2010. Continue Reading Universal Blood Donor Follow Us Universal Blood Donor Generally, people with O Negative blood type are known as universal blood donors, as they can donate blood to anybody irrespective of their blood group. Advertisement The term universal blood donor is used to refer to a person who can donate blood to almost any individual in the world. In most of the cases, the blood group of universal donors is O− (O Negative). Only about 7 percent of the US population and 5 percent of the world population is believed to have this blood type.

Before we move on to see what makes a person with this blood group a universal donor, let's have a brief look at some more aspects of blood type classification. Antigens and Antibodies in the Blood Each blood group differs from the other, and these differences can be attributed to the presence or absence of antigens and antibodies in it. Antigens are located on the surface of the red blood cells, while antibodies are found in the blood plasma. There are more than 20 genetically determined blood group systems known in the world today. However, when it comes to blood transfusions, the ABO blood group system is undoubtedly the most popular system in the world. Blood Group Classification According to the ABO blood group system, various blood types are divided into 4 groups: A, B, AB, and O. At times, blood is also classified by its rhesus factor (Rh)―a term used to refer to the presence or absence of a specific antigen in the blood. A universal blood donor, O− is also a component of this blood grouping system.

Blood O No Antigens One should also take a note of the fact that all blood groups are not compatible with each other, and any attempt to mix two incompatible blood groups can lead to severe effects on the individuals body. If an individual with A blood group is administered blood from a donor with B blood group, his body is bound to react with the antigens in the B type blood during transfusion. Blood type plays a crucial role in determining whether the said individual is a universal donor or receiver. Universal Blood Donor Initially, O− blood was considered the universal donor type, which meant that an individual with any blood type could accept blood from an individual with this blood group without worrying about the threat of transfusion reaction. This was assumed on the basis that O− blood group doesn't have any antigens in it and hence, it doesn't react with other blood groups. However, recent studies have highlighted the fact that even O− type blood can have some antibodies, which may cause harmful reactions during blood transfusion. Although such cases are very rare, the possibility cannot be ruled out. In cases of emergency, however, O− blood can be administered to anyone, especially when there is a shortage of the required blood type or when it is a life-threatening situation.

Because of this advantage, most of the blood banks make sure that they have reserves of this lifesaving blood type. Universal donors and recipients have a clear advantage over the other blood groups. Among all the blood types categorized in ABO blood group system, O− type is reactive to a very less extent, almost negligible, and that makes an individual with this blood type a universal blood donor. If you are one of those elite people with O− blood group, you should get in touch with your nearest blood bank at the earliest. Abhijit Naik Blood Donation FAQs Blood Donation FAQs Page Content What are the minimum requirements to become a blood donor? Check with your local blood bank to determine the exact requirements, but generally, you must be at least 16 years of age, a minimum of 110 pounds, and in basic good health. Will donating blood hurt? You may feel a slight sting in the beginning lasting only a couple of seconds, but there should be no discomfort during the donation. Are blood donors paid? No. Blood collected for transfusion in the US is given by volunteer blood donors. How badly is blood needed? Blood supplies can vary depending on the region and time of year.

As donor qualifications continue to become stricter and as the donor population ages, our nation is at risk of a low blood supply. If you are eligible, your blood donations are needed. Why are there often blood shortages? Most blood centers strive to maintain an optimum inventory level of a three-day supply. Due to unpredictable demands from trauma incidents the inventory fluctuates hourly. When the blood supply drops below a three-day level, blood centers begin alerting local donors to increase the inventory to a safe operating level. Can I get AIDS from donating blood? No. There is no risk of contracting AIDS or any other disease through the donation process. Each collection kit is sterile, pre-packaged and used only once. Do I have enough blood in my body to donate? Yes. The body contains 10 to 12 pints of blood. Your whole blood donation is approximately one pint. How much blood is taken? For a whole blood donation, approximately one pint (which weighs about one pound) is collected. For a platelet donation, the amount collected depends on your height, weight and platelet count. How much time does it take for my body to replace the blood that I donated? Not long at all.

The volume of fluids will adjust within a few hours of your donation. The red blood cells will be replaced within a few weeks. How often may I donate? You may donate whole blood once every 56 days, which allows plenty of time for your red cells to be replenished. Platelet (apheresis) donors may donate more frequently -- as often as once every seven days and up to 24 times per year. This is because the body replenishes platelets and plasma more quickly than red cells. Platelets will return to normal levels within about 72 hours of donating. Plasma (the liquid portion of your blood) will return to normal levels within a couple of days. Red blood cells (the oxygen-carrying cells) will take approximately two weeks to reach their normal levels. How long until my blood is used? Most blood donations are processed and available for use within 48 hours. Does donated blood stay on the shelf indefinitely until it is used? No. Each unit of whole blood normally is separated into several components. Red blood cells may be stored under refrigeration for a maximum of 42 days, or they may be frozen for up to 10 years.

Red cells carry oxygen and are used to treat anemia or blood loss. Platelets are important in the control of bleeding and are generally used in patients with leukemia and other forms of cancer. Platelets are stored at room temperature and may be kept for a maximum of five days. Fresh frozen plasma, used to control bleeding due to low levels of some clotting factors, is kept in a frozen state for up to one year. Cryoprecipitated AHF, which contains only a few specific clotting factors, is made from fresh frozen plasma and may be stored frozen for up to one year. Granulocytes are sometimes used to fight infections, although their efficacy is not well established. They must be transfused within 24 hours of donation. Other products manufactured from blood include albumin, immune globulin, specific immune globulins, and clotting factor concentrates. Commercial manufacturers commonly produce these blood products. Are the health history questions necessary every time I donate? To ensure the safest possible blood supply, all donors must be asked all the screening questions at each donation. The FDA requires that all blood centers conform to this practice. What is the most common blood type? The approximate distribution of blood types in the U.S. blood donor population is as follows.

Distribution may be different for specific racial and ethnic groups and in different parts of the country: O Rh-positive --- 39 percent AB Rh-positive --- 4 percent AB Rh-negative --- 1 percent In an emergency, anyone can receive type O red blood cells. Therefore, people with type O blood are known as "universal donors." In addition, individuals of all types can receive type AB plasma because it does not contain anti-A or anti-B. Is there such thing as artificial blood? Scientists have yet to find a successful substitute for human blood. This is why blood donors are so vital to the lives of those who are in need of blood. What fees are associated with blood? While donated blood is free, there are significant costs associated with collecting, testing, preparing components, labeling, storing and shipping blood; recruiting and educating donors; and quality assurance. As a result, processing fees are charged to recover costs. Processing fees for individual blood components vary considerably. Processing fees for one specific component also may vary in different geographic regions. Hospitals charge for any additional testing that may be required, such as the crossmatch, as well as for the administration of the blood. Is there anything I should do before I donate?

Be sure to eat well at your regular mealtimes and drink plenty of fluids. What does the term “donor deferral” mean? Individuals disqualified from donating blood are known as "deferred" donors. A prospective donor may be deferred at any point during the collection and testing process. Whether or not a person is deferred temporarily or permanently will depend on the specific reason for disqualification (e.g., a person may be deferred temporarily because of anemia, a condition that is usually reversible). If a person is to be deferred, his or her name is entered into a list of deferred donors maintained by the blood center, often known as the "deferral registry." If a deferred donor attempts to give blood before the end of the deferral period, the donor will not be accepted for donation. Once the reason for the deferral no longer exists and the temporary deferral period has lapsed, the donor may return to the blood bank and be re-entered into the system.

Those who may be deferred include: Anyone who has ever used needles to take drugs, steroids, or any substance not prescribed by a doctor Men who have had sexual contact with other men in the past 12 months Anyone with a positive test for HIV (AIDS virus) Men and women who have ever engaged in sex for money or drugs Anyone who has had hepatitis since his or her eleventh birthday Anyone who has had babesiosis or Chagas disease Anyone who has taken Tegison for psoriasis Anyone who has risk factors for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) or who has a blood relative with CJD Anyone who has risk factors for vCJD, including: Anyone who spent three months or more in the United Kingdom from 1980 through 1996 Anyone who received a blood transfusion in the United Kingdom or France from 1980 to the present Anyone who has spent five years in Europe from 1980 to the present. I was recently deferred for an inconclusive Hepatitis B core test. Can you explain the reasoning behind the deferral and when I might be eligible to donate blood again?

Antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) is an antibody that generally appears close to the onset of clinical hepatitis and may persist for years or for life. FDA recommends that blood and blood components found to be repeatedly reactive for anti-HBc should not be used for transfusion. Studies have demonstrated that transfusions of blood that is reactive for anti-HBc, but negative for Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, were associated with some cases of post-transfusion hepatitis. The numbers of transfusion recipients developing hepatitis in such circumstances are, indeed, extremely low, but FDA is committed to ensuring the safest blood supply possible. FDA has provided recommendations for a requalification method or process for the reentry of deferred donors into the donor pool based on a determination that previous tests that were repeatedly reactive for antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were falsely positive and that there is no evidence of infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV). A copy of the May 2010 guidance document Requalification Method for Reentry of Blood Donors Deferred Because of Reactive Test Results for Antibody to Hepatitis B Core Antigen (Anti-HBc) can be obtained from FDA's website at .

If I was deferred once before, am I still ineligible to donate? If your deferral is of a permanent nature, you will be informed. Otherwise, the deferral time depends upon the reason for deferral. Prior to each donation, you will be given a mini-physical and medical interview. At that time, it will be determined if you are eligible to donate blood on that particular day. If I just received a flu shot, can I donate blood? Yes. There is no waiting period to donate after receiving a flu shot. If I have a cold or the flu, can I donate blood? In order to donate, blood centers require that you be in generally good health (symptom-free) and recommend that you are feeling well. Can I still donate if I have high blood pressure? Yes, if your blood pressure in under control and within the limits set in the donation guidelines. What if I'm taking aspirin or medication prescribed by my doctor? Aspirin and ibuprofen will not affect a whole blood donation. Apheresis platelet donors, however, must not take aspirin or aspirin products 48 hours prior to donation. Many other medications are acceptable.

It is recommended that you call the donor center ahead of time to inquire about any medications you are taking. What if I have anemia? You cannot give blood if you have anemia. However, this can often be a temporary condition. Your hemoglobin will be tested before you donate to make sure it is at an acceptable level. How can I increase my iron level? Donors may be deferred from donating due to a low hematocrit (iron) level. This restriction is for the safety of the donor and ensures that after donation, the donor's hematocrit level will still be within the normal range for a healthy adult. Since hematocrit levels can fluctuate daily, a deferral for a low hematocrit level does not mean a donor is anemic. A donor may help increase his or her hematocrit levels by eating foods high in iron such as red meat, dark green vegetables and raisins or by taking a multivitamin that contains iron. How long will the actual donation process take? The actual donation takes about 5-10 minutes. The entire donation process, from registration to post-donation refreshments, takes about one hour. What types of tests are performed on donated blood?

After blood is drawn, it is tested for ABO group (blood type) and RH type (positive or negative), as well as for any unexpected red blood cell antibodies that may cause problems for the recipient. Screening tests performed are listed below: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) Hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibody (anti-HIV-1 and anti-HIV-2) HTLV-I and HTLV-II antibody (anti-HTLV-I and anti-HTLV-II) Serologic test for syphilis Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) for HIV-1 ribonucleic acid (RNA), HCV RNA and WNV RNA Nucleic acid amplification testing (NAT) for HBV deoxyribonucleic acid Anitbody test for Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas' disease How will I feel after I donate? Most people feel great after giving blood. If you feel any abnormal symptoms, let a staff member at the blood donation center or blood drive know.

You should avoid lifting heavy objects or strenuous exercise for the next 24 hours; otherwise you can resume full activity as long as you feel well. Where can I donate blood? Use the AABB blood bank locator to find the blood donation center nearest you, and then contact the blood bank to make an appointment and find out what they require. What can you do if you aren't eligible to donate? While a given individual may be unable to donate, he or she may be able to recruit a suitable donor. Blood banks are always in need of volunteers to assist at blood draws or to organize mobile blood drives. In addition, monetary donations are always welcome to help ensure that blood banks can continue to provide safe blood to those in need. How can I host a blood drive at my work, school or church? Use the AABB blood bank locator to find the blood donation center nearest you, and then contact the blood center to find out what they require. What is a Universal Donor? (with pictures) What is a Universal Donor? Last Modified Date: 30 November 2016 Copyright Protected: Can you see through these real-life optical illusions? A universal donor is someone who can donate blood to anyone else, with a few rare exceptions.

People with the O- blood type have traditionally been considered universal blood cell donors. Conversely, a universal recipient can safely take blood from anyone, again with a few exceptions. People with AB+ blood have been considered universal recipients. Historically, universal donors are determined on the basis of the ABO blood typing system. Under this system, people can be divided into four blood types: A, B, AB, and O. Blood type is determined by the antigens present on the blood cells. In the case of people with A blood, A antigens are present. B blood types have B antigens, AB blood types have both, and O types have no antigens. Some people refer to the O group as the "null" or 0 group, referencing the fact that no antigens are present. If someone with an A blood type is given blood from a B donor, the recipient's blood will react with the antigens on the B blood cells, rejecting the transfusion and triggering a transfusion reaction. O blood, however, can be given to someone with an A blood type, because there are no antigens in the donor blood to react with the recipient's body.

Things get a bit more complicated than that, as the "+" and "-" symbols people are probably used to seeing after blood types would suggest. The ABO blood typing system can be further classified with the use of the Rhesus blood group system. Blood types under this system are determined by testing for A and B antigens, and looking for something called the Rhesus or Rh factor. If the Rh factor is present, the blood is "positive," and if it is not, the blood is "negative." When the two systems are combined, there are a plethora of blood types: A-, A+, B-, B+, AB-, AB+, O-, and O+. This complicates matters, because the presence of the Rh factor can cause a transfusion reaction in someone with a negative blood type. This makes it unsafe, for example, for B+ blood to be transfused into a B- recipient. In emergency situations, patients may be given O- blood; however, this is not ideal. The best blood for a person to receive is an exact match for both type and Rhesus factor . This is because of the presence of antibodies and other antigens in the blood, which can cause dangerous reactions.

Doctors perform a test called crossmatching to determine if the donor blood is compatible with the recipient. Many blood banks like to stock as much blood from universal donors as they can. In an emergency situation where blood transfusions are urgently needed, O negative blood cells can be safely given to most patients. As a result, being identified as a universal donor can make someone very popular with a local blood bank . In addition to universal blood cell donors, there are people who are universal blood plasma donors. Antibodies are found in blood plasma , and are the opposite of the blood type. Someone with type A blood has B antibodies in his or her plasma. Type AB blood plasma has no antibodies, and therefore can safely be donated to anyone. There are a few cases in which blood from a universal donor can be dangerous. Some rare blood types fall outside the ABO system, and these blood types can react with O negative blood. For people with these blood types, it is a good idea to carry a medical information card clearly indicating this, as otherwise blood from a universal donor may be transfused under the assumption that it will be safe.

Ad anon937895 Post 21 Is it true that type AB blood can be donated to anyone, as stipulated in your statement above? anon307135 Post 19 Is it a good idea to donate AB+ blood if it can't be accepted by blood types other than its own? anon234929 Post 17 Why is type AB the universal recipient when they cannot receive any blood types? They can only receive the same blood type, but not any other blood type. anon230032 I'm an o- person. Will my body accept the o+ blood? amypollick Post 14 @Anon96345: Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, and your mother's surgeon can give you a definitive answer. My supposition is that someone with AB+ blood can receive any blood type, true, but this is more for emergency situations, and is not ideal. Say, if someone who is AB+ were in an automobile accident and needed blood, then the ER could use whatever the blood bank had on hand to save the person's life. However, it is always more desirable to use blood the same type as the patient's.

Would your mother be eligible for an autologous blood transfusion? That's when the patient goes in several times before surgery to donate a pint or so of their own blood, which the doctor or hospital banks for that patient's use during surgery. This is becoming a more common procedure. Might be worth asking the surgeon. anon96345 Post 13 With regard to this statement: "Conversely, a universal recipient can safely take blood from anyone, again with a few rare exceptions. People with AB+ blood are considered universal recipients." My mother is law who is AB+ and needs to undergo surgery for acoustic neuroma. Doctors have said that she should have an AB+ donor. Does this mean that during a surgery, the universal recipient clause does not work. anon87500 Post 12 Me and my mother both are O+ but my supposedly father is O-. Is he my father? anon87149 Post 11 Two O positive parents *can* have a child who is O negative! My youngest sister is and she is the only one. The negative can come in from somewhere farther back in the family as a recessive gene that was strong enough to break through.

Both my parents are O positive as are my older sister and I *but* my youngest sister is O negative due to a recessive negative gene on my mom's side of the family. anon85103 Does the blood group change from birth to any age? anon61528 Post 9 amypollick,I used to think the same thing. That whatever blood type someone is that's what they stay. It is usually true but I actually know somebody whose blood type has changed three times since her birth. amypollick Post 8 Anon49833. I don't know about how often you can give certain blood types to patients, since I am not a doctor or nurse, but I do know that someone who has any type of blood is born that type and will die that type, regardless of what kind of blood he/she receives. Blood, as I understand it, is produced in the bone marrow, so a blood transfusion is not going to change blood type. I do know that a successful bone marrow transplant from a donor with a different blood type can change a person's blood type, but as far as I know, that's about the only thing that can.

Of course, someone who is an expert in this field may certainly correct me if I'm wrong. anon49833 Post 7 all this stuff so far is 'OK' with my knowledge. but i have a scenario, guide me there. Patient is AB +VE, he/she can receive any blood, for example on a day in October he/she receives A+VE (because he/she can receive any group as he/she is universal recipient. after a few days, 10 days for example, can we give B+VE to the same patient (AB+VE) who has received A+VE a few days ago? in short, will an AB+VE patient still remain a universal recipient after receiving A+VE or B+VE? anon42564 Why ab group blood cannot be donated to group a and group b? anon39176 Post 4 can an o postitive and an o positive make an o negative if the mother had a blood tranfusion in childhood? she had five kids who are supposed to have the the same dad but only one which is the last one has o negative, could this kid be for someone else or is it possible this man fathered it too?

anon39115 Is it possible for a 0+ couple to have a A+ baby? jade01 Universal donor | definition of universal donor by Medical dictionary Universal donor | definition of universal donor by Medical dictionary Related to universal donor: Rh factor , universal recipient donor [do´ner] 1. a person or organism that supplies an organ or tissue to be used in another body, usually either a cadaveric, living related, or living unrelated donor; see transplantation . 2. a substance or compound that contributes part of itself to another substance (acceptor). Algorithm for organ donation. From McQuillan, 2002. cadaveric donor an organ or tissue donor who has already died; see cadaveric donor transplantation . living nonrelated donor living unrelated donor . living related donor one who is a close blood relative of the recipient; see living related donor transplantation . living unrelated donor one who is not a close blood relative of the recipient; see living unrelated donor transplantation . non–heart beating cadaveric donor a donor who has been pronounced dead according to the traditional criteria of lack of any pulse or detectable cardiac activity, but is not yet brain dead (see brain death ).

There are two types: The controlled donor is a person in a vegetative state who has signed a consent form or otherwise stated his or her wishes before becoming ill. Based on the patient's stated wishes and at the request of the next-of-kin, cannulas are placed into blood vessels for postmortem cooling of organs and the person is removed from life support. Once death has been declared, the organs are rapidly perfused with cold preservative solution and surgically removed. The uncontrolled donor is a person declared dead because of catastrophic injury to the heart, such as a gunshot wound to the heart. Cannulas are placed into blood vessels after death and the organs are perfused and removed. This also requires consent of next-of-kin. universal donor a person whose blood is type O in the ABO blood group system; such blood is sometimes used in emergency transfusion. Transfusion of blood cells rather than whole blood is preferred. u·ni·ver·sal do·nor in blood grouping, a person belonging to group O; that is, one whose erythrocytes do not contain either agglutinogen A or B and are, therefore, not agglutinated by plasma containing either of the ordinary isoagglutinins.

universal donor n. A person who has group O blood and is therefore able to serve as a donor to a person of any other blood group in the ABO system. universal donor type O, Rh negative red blood cells that may be used for emergency transfusion to any ABO type with minimal risk of incompatibility. Group AB plasma can be transfused to all ABO types. See also blood donor , blood group , transfusion . A person with blood group O, whose erythrocytes lack A and B antigens and thus do not elicit a haemolytic transfusion reaction when the blood is transfused to a person with blood group A, B, AB or O universal donor Transfusion medicine A person with blood group O, whose RBCs lack A and B antigens and thus do not elicit a hemolytic transfusion reaction when the blood is transfused to a person with blood group A, B, AB or O. Cf Universal recipient .

u·ni·ver·sal do·nor (yū'ni-vĕr'săl dō'nŏr) In blood grouping, a person belonging to group O, i.e., one whose erythrocytes contain neither agglutinogen A nor B and are Rh negative. uni·ver·sal do·nor (yū'ni-vĕr'săl dō'nŏr) Programs for Donor/Recipient Pairs with Incompatible Blood Types - The National Kidney Foundation Programs for Donor/Recipient Pairs with Incompatible Blood Types Paired Exchange Programs Sometimes a loved one may want to donate a kidney but their blood type is incompatible. Some transplant centers will help incompatible pairs of recipient/donors through a process called paired exchange, which involves two living donors and two recipients. If the recipient from one pair is compatible with the donor from the other pair, and vice versa– the transplant center may arrange for a "swap"–for two simultaneous transplants to take place. This allows two transplant candidates to receive organs and two donors to give organs though the original recipient/donor pairs were unable to do so with each other.

Figure 1: In paired exchange, an incompatible donor/ recipient pair (such as a mother and son that don't have compatible blood types) are matched with another incompatible donor/recipient pair for a "swap". Each donor gives a kidney to the other person's intended recipient. Both donors and candidates are carefully evaluated and tested medically and psychologically to assure that the benefits outweigh the risks. It is important for both surgeries to be scheduled for the same time in case either donor changes their mind at the time of surgery. Surgeries can take place at the same or different hospitals. It can be advantageous if the surgeries take place at the same hospital though this may mean extra costs of travel and housing for one couple. Never Ending Altruistic Donor (NEAD) chain A NEAD™ chain (Never Ending Altruistic Donor chain) begins with one non-directed (altruistic) potential donor. In this program, the non-directed donor gives to a person waiting for a transplant, and that recipient's willing – but incompatible – donor gives to another person waiting, and so on. Each living donor in this system gives to a stranger, and the chain of donors is kept going as long as possible.

Figure 2: In A NEAD™ chain, a non-directed potential donor is matched up with a recipient who has a willing, but incompatible donor. Then that recipient's incompatible donor then gives to another incompatible pair, and so on. For More Information If you are interested in one of these exchange programs: Talk with your transplant hospital. If you're already working with a transplant hospital: Talk to them about your options. Ask them if any of these programs are an option for your situation, and if so, does that hospital offer them? If not: contact transplant hospitals (in the recipient's area) to ask. To find a transplant center in your area click here . Select "transplant center by organ," then select "kidney," and then select your state. Contact a transplant hospital that has an exchange program. It's always a good idea to check with your transplant hospital, or hospitals nearby. Contact other organizations which might help. Following are links to other organizations which help to facilitate exchanges.(Note: these organizations and their websites are not under the control of the NKF, and NKF assumes no responsibility for their content or services.

These links are provided for information purposes only, and should not be considered an endorsement or recommendation by the National Kidney Foundation.) OPTN/UNOS Kidney Paired Donation Program The vision of the OPTN/UNOS Kidney Paired Donation Program is that every kidney transplant candidate with an incompatible but willing and approved living donor receives a living donor kidney transplant. The mission is to develop a successful Kidney Paired Donation (KPD) program with universal access to all UNOS/OPTN members that prioritizes the medical and psychosocial safety of living donors and candidates. Alliance for Paired Donation The mission of the Alliance for Paired Donation™ is to save lives by significantly reducing the wait time for a kidney transplant through kidney paired donation. National Kidney Registry The mission of the National Kidney Registry is to save and improve the lives of people facing kidney failure by increasing the quality, speed, and number of living donor transplants in the world. A CONVERSATION CAN SAVE A LIFE.

Question: Because they can donate to anyone, people with what blood type are known as universal donors?
Answer: O-